Janet Dial of Stockton, a veteran of eight Boston Marathons, had completed the storied race Monday mere moments before the bomb blasts that shattered a crowd of spectators echoed in her ears.

Just 31 seconds, to be exact.

Dial's time from when the race's starting gun went off - before it was adjusted for how far back in field she started - was 4 hours, 9 minutes and 13 seconds. Video footage of the bombs detonating near the finish line revealed the race clock at 4:09:44.

"I'm OK. The bombs were about 50 yards from me," Dial said in a text message to The Record. "It was horrible. Really sad."

Dial, an avid long-distance runner and associate vice president of university development at University of the Pacific, said the course was cleared of athletes immediately after the blasts.

"They pulled everyone off the course and closed it after the bombs went off," Dial, who also coaches other runners, said. "Apparently, I was one of the last to finish."

This was the first time Dial's parents attended the race with her, and they had urged her to just have fun. So she slowed her pace and took more than 100 photos.

"We are so sad that this international event ended on such a sad note," Dial said adding that her parents were watching the race at a Boston church with their friend who is a minister. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people who were hurt and killed. We feel very fortunate but shaken up by the events of the day."

Dial was one of nine runners from San Joaquin County - six from Stockton, one from Lockeford and two from Tracy - listed as competitors on the Boston Athletic Association's website.

Tim Hobert, 50, of Stockton said he was safely back at his room in Cambridge when he started receiving a volley of texts and calls.

"I thought everyone was calling to congratulate me on my finish time," he said. "But they wanted to know if I was OK. I can't believe this happened. I ran right by where it took place."

The experienced marathon runner had completed the 26.2-mile course in 3:26:35. Hobert, who was motivated to run in Boston because he had just turned 50, said he was worried about Dial when he heard about the explosions, because he knew she was still on the course.

Albert Boyce of Stockton was celebrating a great finish when the attacks took place.

"He is OK. He was in the Westin lobby, just a block away, when the explosions went off," Marianne Boyce said of her husband, who finished the marathon in 2:43:57. "He had already showered and was downstairs celebrating with his friends in the hotel lobby. He was able to get a taxi and get to the airport."

Monday was her 50th birthday. Her only wish? That her husband is back home in Stockton safe and sound.

Boyce, Dial and Hobert said they were counting their blessings but were worried about the victims as more news about the magnitude of the tragedy became apparent.

The Stockton athletes reported the course conditions and the entire atmosphere of the event had been ideal up until the explosions.

"The world is just becoming so angry," Hobert said. "It had been absolutely the best day, and then it suddenly turned into a tragedy."

Boston's subway service - Copley Square is a main station - shut down immediately after the blasts and a bridge was also closed, making it complete pandemonium for spectators and runners trying to leave the area.

"I count myself lucky that I got out when I did," Hobert said, as he watched the chaotic aftermath on TV. "I was cold, and just wanted a hot shower."

Lori Cundari of Lockeford finished about seven minutes ahead of the blasts. Her time was 4:02.33.

"I had crossed the finish line and was talking with some other runners I met when the bombs went off," said Cundari, who was running in her third marathon overall and first Boston Marathon. "It was such a scary situation.

"I was able to get to my husband (David) in the family waiting area about 10 minutes later. But they shut down cell phone service and I couldn't reach my (two) sons and my parents, who were traveling. I just wanted to be able to tell them I was OK. It was a day that's going to live with me forever."

Other Stockton runners who competed were Ricardo Guidolin, Jose Ramil Jamosmos and Steve Ware. Noel Colina and Leonel Monascal were listed as runners from Tracy on the BAA website.

All the local runners crossed the finish line except for one, according to the race website. That runner could not be contacted for comment.